Chatting about the rules

[OrthodoxyUSA]

http://www.christianforums.com/t2854725-the-inability-to-openly-speak.html


....with the staff.

Forgive me.......

 

[InnerPhyre]

Nice knowing you, OUSA

 

[Monica child of God 1]

I was thinking something along those lines

M.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

If they kick me off it will be for telling the TRUTH.

Forgive me....

 

[choirfiend]

We're all called to proclaim the Truth--but it might not be in this way. Hoorah and all that, but tromping about and bashing people in the head all the time usually just leads to a lot of bruises and mad people.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

That's your impression of me... tromping about and bashing people in the head?

Forgive me....

 

[Monica child of God 1]

"The Orthodox Church does not seek to convince others of any one particular understanding of truth or revelation, nor does it seek to convert others to a particular mode of thinking. Rather, she calls all persons from all walks of life to feel the heartbeat of the Church, to sense the breath of life inhaling and exhaling from her body--the body of Christ--and to experience her maternal love and comfort, thereby being at peace while listening openly to the perspective of the other with respect and tolerance." --Statement of HAH Ecumenical Patriarch Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia

 

[rusmeister]

Well, what you have said is true, but the time for such arguments to convince people of other faiths is long past. It seems to me that initially (2000 years ago), other the falsehood of other faiths was swiftly revealed, because the Resurrection was an unassailable argument - you either believed or didn't. But Satan has managed to create false faiths by corrupting the ideas of those who held the Faith until only the Orthodox Church was left.
Yes, that's overly simplistic, but I hope you get the idea.
In any event, a lot of these people profess to believe in the Resurrection while sharing little of the Orthodox Faith. The result is you can't use simple truth to tell them they're wrong.
Your thoughts are correct, but you attract more bees with honey...

 

[choirfiend]

That's your impression of me... tromping about and bashing people in the head?

Forgive me....

If I may be honest--sometimes. Stirring up trouble where there is none, mostly, is when it feels like tromping about. Having respectful discussions, bringing facts and opinions to light, and showing people what the truth of the Church is rather than just TELLING them what the truth is feels better.

 

[Shubunkin]

Remember in Wizard of Oz when they pinned the medal on the Cowardly Lion and suddenly he was "brave" and no longer a coward? That kind of reminds me... well, we can see other churches pinning an "orthodox" label on themselves, but that means little in the real world of the Orthodox.

 

[Nickolai]

This is much the same problem I have with Orthodox street preaching (And I do know some Orthodox street preachers, people like the willard preacher). Sometimes it's best not to offend people when on shared ground, This site does not belong to the Orthodox, nor was it created for us (that's why we have TAW).

I think of it this way, If what I say can turn someone away from the faith before they ever see the faith, I probably shouldn't say it. If someone is inquiring about Orthodoxy I will tell things how they are, but if nowone is asking I just try to live my life in an Orthodox manner. If I live that way, I can hope someone may look at me and wonder what makes me so special. That they will see the grace of God in me. I usually fail at this, but I can try.

I may be wrong, but sometimes people arn't ready to hear the whole Truth. It's best not to give it all at once. People will be judged on the level of Truth they knew, and we shouldn't give them more than they can handle if they don't ask for it.

My 2 cents


In Christ,
Reader Nikolai

 

[Shubunkin]

This is much the same problem I have with Orthodox street preaching (And I do know some Orthodox street preachers, people like the willard preacher). Sometimes it's best not to offend people when on shared ground, This site does not belong to the Orthodox, nor was it created for us (that's why we have TAW).

I think of it this way, If what I say can turn someone away from the faith before they ever see the faith, I probably shouldn't say it. If someone is inquiring about Orthodoxy I will tell things how they are, but if nowone is asking I just try to live my life in an Orthodox manner. If I live that way, I can hope someone may look at me and wonder what makes me so special. That they will see the grace of God in me. I usually fail at this, but I can try.

I may be wrong, but sometimes people arn't ready to hear the whole Truth. It's best not to give it all at once. People will be judged on the level of Truth they knew, and we shouldn't give them more than they can handle if they don't ask for it.

My 2 cents


In Christ,
Reader Nikolai

What you say is basically true, but I have also witnessed that God uses even my mistakes to draw some to him. Some people are just ready, and sometimes it doesn't matter how the truth is presented, they are just ready for it. This isn't a reason to say anything without thinking, but sometimes it just happens to get out so bluntly, but it works for the good. You never really know until it happens.

 

[Zacharias]

This is much the same problem I have with Orthodox street preaching (And I do know some Orthodox street preachers, people like the willard preacher).

The willard preacher is one my uncles!!! I'm not joking.

 

[Theophorus]

The willard preacher is one my uncles!!! I'm not joking.

Is this the guy?
http://www.thewillardpreacher.com/

(I did a quick google)

The page opens up with two quotes from St. John Chrysostom!!!!!

None of those who have Hell before their eyes will fall into Hell. No one of those who despise Hell will escape Hell.... Nothing is so profitable as to converse concerning Hell. It renders our souls purer than any silver."

~St. John Chrysostom~


and

It is of no use to live a 'clean life' while holding on to corrupt doctrines.

St. John Chrysostom


interesting...

 

[David65]

Reader Nickolai,

I cannot remain hetrodox. The Apostolic Succession thread, in which you and Philip in patricular were were defending the faith, was my first exposure to the Orthodox Church. Your simple and gentle statements of the truth compelled me to discover where your confidence came from.

I really don't know how to thank you.

 

[choirfiend]

The willard preacher is one my uncles!!! I'm not joking.

Then I know like your whole family....Are you from Gary's side, or from Karen's?

 

[Zacharias]

Is this the guy?
http://www.thewillardpreacher.com/

(I did a quick google)

The page opens up with two quotes from St. John Chrysostom!!!!!

None of those who have Hell before their eyes will fall into Hell. No one of those who despise Hell will escape Hell.... Nothing is so profitable as to converse concerning Hell. It renders our souls purer than any silver."

~St. John Chrysostom~


and

It is of no use to live a 'clean life' while holding on to corrupt doctrines.

St. John Chrysostom


interesting...

Yes that's him.

 

[Nickolai]

Reader Nickolai,

I cannot remain hetrodox. The Apostolic Succession thread, in which you and Philip in patricular were were defending the faith, was my first exposure to the Orthodox Church. Your simple and gentle statements of the truth compelled me to discover where your confidence came from.

I really don't know how to thank you.

Wow, I never thought THAT thread would ever help in anyone's conversion. I always just thought of it as one of my little rants that I have sometimes. Rants that I usually regret later. I'm glad it did some good. Although Philip is more eloquent than I am.

In Christ,
Reader Nikolai

 

[Nickolai]

And let me note that I don't think what the willard preacher is doing is complety wrong. I have met plenty of people he has converted. I just sometimes question how many people his very direct attitude has turn away from Orthodoxy.

In Christ,
Reader Nikolai

 

[Dust and Ashes]

And let me note that I don't think what the willard preacher is doing is complety wrong. I have met plenty of people he has converted.

Apparently it's not completely wrong if he's converted "plenty of people."

I just sometimes question how many people his very direct attitude has turn away from Orthodoxy.

Maybe fewer than would have been turned away by a milquetoast attitude on his part. He may be called to preach the way he preaches whereas someone else may be called to witness quietly by simply living their faith. Not everyone has the same calling. Some people may need a direct approach to get through to them.

I'm sure St. Paul turned many away from Orthodoxy back in the day. I figure he probably made a lot of people angry enough to stone him or beat him with his direct attitude.